Legislature(1999 - 2000)
05/16/1999 10:20 AM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 155(FIN)
An Act relating to methods of payment of and reports
concerning certain state salaries and business
expenses.
MARY GORE, STAFF, SENATOR MIKE MILLER, explained that the
proposed bill would expand the number of state entities, in
addition to the Legislature, annually required to report
travel and compensation. Detailed information for the
previous calendar year of the salaries, per diem, travel
expenses, relocation expenses and any additional allowances
received would be the required from the following people:
* Governor and Lt. Governor;
* Chiefs of Staff of the above;
* Supreme Court Justices & Court of Appeals Judges;
* Administrative director of the Court:
* Legislative Affairs Executive Director;
* President & Vice President of the University;
* Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners and
Division Directors; and
* Executive Heads of public corporations.
Representative J. Davies questioned the need for the
proposed legislation given the expense it would incur.
Representative Kohring also spoke to the expense associated
with the legislation.
DAVID ESSARY, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, DEPARTMENT OF
ADMINISTRATION, stated that the fiscal note reflects efforts
for personal services to prepare a report containing
detailed information on salaries, per diem, travel expenses,
relocation expense for all the above listed State employees.
To compile the information will require gathering wage
information from the payroll system, as well as gathering
travel information for each individual's records. The
Department estimates that this will take the equivalent of
approximately three months time for an Accountant IV.
Representative Kohring recommended that the information be
made available through the Internet, which he believed would
save costs. Representative Bunde observed that many people
do not have computer access.
Representative Grussendorf pointed out that the information
would be required of approximately 125 employees.
Representative J. Davies added that costs would be for
distribution and assembling information. He noted that he
objected to all the costs associated with the legislation.
He exclaimed that there will be a need to educate why these
costs were incurred. Representative Austerman also voiced
his concern with the costs associated with the program.
Representative J. Davies pointed out that currently the
information is available for each department through the
budget detail books. Representative Bunde countered that
the public's right to know is paramount. Mr. Essary agreed
that everyone has the right to know. The Division of
Legislative Audit has conducted some of this type work on a
smaller scale. The proposed legislation would remove the
responsibility from that Division to the Department of
Administration.
Representative Austerman inquired if someone requested this
information now would the Department provide it. Mr. Essary
explained that they would, however, under the Public
Information Act, information made available is provided at
no charge. Any information that would require time
gathering, as under this bill, the Department would be
allowed to charge for.
Mr. Essary stated that the Division of Legislative Audit has
previously done a portion of this task; he voiced was
concerned that if the bill does not pass, there could be a
conflict between the two agencies.
In response to Representative G. Davis, Ms. Gore replied
that no sunset clause had been proposed.
Representative Foster MOVED to report CSSB 155 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal note. Representative Kohring OBJECTED.
Representative J. Davies suggested that the money requested
in the fiscal note could be used on many more important
projects. He foresaw that $18 thousand dollars would only be
the beginning of requested funds to run the program.
Representative J. Davies stressed that this was not
responsible spending.
Representative Kohring observed that if reporting was not
being requested for the Legislature, it should not be
required for the other branches of government. He
reiterated comments to place information on the Internet.
Representative Williams voiced additional concern with the
fiscal costs associated with the legislation.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion to MOVED the bill.
IN FAVOR: Foster, Kohring, Williams, Austerman, Bunde,
G. Davis
OPPOSED Grussendorf, Moses, J. Davies
Representatives Mulder and Therriault were not present for
the vote.
The MOTION PASSED (6-3).
CSSB 155 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with "no
recommendation" and with a fiscal note by Department of
Administration dated 5/7/99.
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